When Shakespeare met Seuss

When it comes to Shakespearean tales, the language is often hard to understand; if only those plays could be redone in a language that could be more easily understood....

By Troy KrauseEditor

When it comes to Shakespearean tales, the language is often hard to understand.While eloquent and poetic, those who try and fail to appreciate these classic stories of love, humor and tragedy know they are missing out on something very good.If only those plays could be redone in a language that could be more easily understood not only by adults but by those who are, as an example, middle school aged.Thankfully for the Shakespeare challenged such an effort has been made to a story that has been told for generations – “Romeo and Juliet.”Rather than just providing the text for others to read, students at RVMS are going to be presenting that story on the stage this coming Saturday.That night at 6 p.m. in the PAC, the students are set to perform “The Seussifi-cation of Romeo and Juliet,” which was written by Peter Bloedel.Those who attend are going to notice from the beginning the telltale signs of a true story in Seuss’ style.

According to Amanda Mathiowetz, who is directing the RVMS production, the entire play is done in rhyme, adding the students have been working hard to get their lines memorized. The challenge has been gaining stage time, as weather issues have led to scheduling changes that have kept the students out of the stage.The students took the stage for the first time Tuesday and have just a few days to get everything set for Saturday’s show.Mathiowetz said the students are having fun, adding the costuming is also unique – much of it is made out of colorful duct tape.This year’s cast and crew includes: Natalie Polak, Elizabeth Prouty, Jenna Grannes, Boe Bidinger, Holden Kipfer, Gage Rohne, Jordan Rasmussen, Michael Helsper, Brooklyn Koetke, Emma Gaffney, Cali Aude, Carter Menz, CJ Theis, Joey Cook, Jillian Read, Madisen Clennon, Jonah Fabrizius, Shane Liebl, Spencer Quast, Maddie Hicks, Keegan Bourke, Ciara Amundson, Payton Nelson, Kaitlin Steffl, Nicole Grave, Logan Garman-Brink, Amanda Johnson, Jaden Wells, Amber Junker, Taylor Haase, Lexi Durant, Ava Lund, Sara Heiderscheidt, Becky Vang, Hailey Rogers, Chaila Amundson, Jacob Prescott and Jazmine Rainey.The community is encouraged to come to the RVMS performance this Saturday at 6 p.m. in the PAC.